In this talk from the San Diego Founder Institute, Jon Carder presents some key tenets to fundraising both in early and more mature stages of one’s business. A seasoned entrepreneur, Carder shares his personal experiences with how he went about funding his own endeavors, and the highs and lows he has endured throughout his career. He believes that some amount of struggling is a ‘rite of passage’, and that bootstrapping, tight budgets, and strict discipline are what kept his company alive in difficult times.

Jon Carder is the Founder and CEO of MojoPages.com, an online Local Search company dedicated to helping consumers find the best local businesses. He served as a mentor for several semesters with the San Diego Founder Institute, which is currently accepting applications for the upcoming Autumn session. If you could use expert training, feedback, and support to launch a technology company, then apply today. The Final Application Deadline is Sunday, October 7th.

The art of fundraising may seem like daunting and foreign territory; however, it all comes down to building and maintaining relationships. Carder stresses the importance of taking advantage of every networking opportunity, and views each pitch as a valuable learning experience. He also points out that in addition to having a good idea with potential, venture capitalists are ultimately investing in you - selling yourself is half the battle. Finally, Carder encourages graduates to stay engaged with the startup ecosystem, and says “the best time to hang out with people with money is when you don’t need it”. Do lunch, grab coffee, attend conferences; take your investors along for the ride and keep them updated. The more you engage them, the easier it will be to secure funding not only for this startup, but for every endeavor hereafter.

If you like the video below be sure to follow Jon on Twitter @JonCarder